This picture nearly pains me now; I was about to learn a lesson about preparedness with all the subtlety of a sledge hammer.

I was told to be ready to hike at 8am, and I knew I wasn't packed, so I got up an hour before anyone else. I didn't have my gear ready, I didn't have my homework done, and although I was in constant motion for more than 3 hours, and thought I was making progress, 7:55 rolled around and I was in complete disarray. An absolute disaster.

It wasn't for another 2 hours and 40 minutes that I was actually hiking, as things continued to cascade wildly out of control.

The experience taught me a lot, with the main thing being that there is a correct order of operations. Taking pictures of the group, no matter how lovely the light may be, is not the right thing to do before the bag is packed.